"Gays Can't Play Straight" Writer Fans New Flames

The gay writer who ignited a firestorm last year by claiming in Newsweek that gay actors can't play it straight has a new bombshell: openly gay actors see their careers suffer once they come out of the closet.

I believe that homophobia in Hollywood (much of it internalized) could stifle a young actors chances of landing leading roles. However, I've seen straight actors play gay superbly, and gay actors have always played straight.

Do audiences care? I'm pretty sure they don't. One way to figure that out would be the residual popularity movies starring actors who have since come out. Is Rock Hudson less popular than Cary Grant because one is gay? Are audiences looking at scenes between Rock and Doris thinking "He'd really rather be with the doorman?"

The writer may be correct that coming out could stall a young actor's career. But he seems to be placing the blame the wrong place: on the audiences and the actors, not the homophobic establishment.

If you register as a real member you wouldn't have to worry about that.

But about the article in question, the "Gays Can't Play Straight" writer definitely has some very valid points.

Did Jim Neighbors ever come out of the closet? Is it true that he was/is Richard Chamberlains boyfriend? Or are they just "best friends". Neighbors also has one of the most beautiful singing voices ever given to a man.

To me, Rock Hudson was never, ever a sexy or even good looking man. Cary Grant on the other hand could have parked his shoes under my bed any time.

Will Johnny Mathis ever come out of his closet dragging his golf clubs behind him? Or perhaps he did and I never heard the door creak open. He use to chase bellboys down hotel hallways as I read it in the rags. The man must be worth a bajillion dollars with all the recordings he did.

<quoted text>To me, Rock Hudson was never, ever a sexy or even good looking man. Cary Grant on the other hand could have parked his shoes under my bed any time.Will Johnny Mathis ever come out of his closet dragging his golf clubs behind him? Or perhaps he did and I never heard the door creak open. He use to chase bellboys down hotel hallways as I read it in the rags. The man must be worth a bajillion dollars with all the recordings he did.

Johnny Mathis came out more than 30 years ago. I remember reading the article, which was written by his husband, when he "officially" came out. He said that he didn't have to come out because he was never in.

<quoted text>If you register as a real member you wouldn't have to worry about that.But about the article in question, the "Gays Can't Play Straight" writer definitely has some very valid points.Did Jim Neighbors ever come out of the closet? Is it true that he was/is Richard Chamberlains boyfriend? Or are they just "best friends". Neighbors also has one of the most beautiful singing voices ever given to a man.

I did register, and using the handl I rgistered under, NONE of my posts would appear. I emailed Topix several times about that, and they never responded. The only way I could get my posts to appear was NOT to register. I don't know why.

Btw, "Frank Stanton" (this one, not the guy who copied me) is not my name, but is an inside joke. I could tell you it, but you probably wouldn't find it funny, although it is very funny to me.

And I HAVE stated my actual name and actual location severl times on Topix.

<quoted text>I did register, and using the handl I rgistered under, NONE of my posts would appear. I emailed Topix several times about that, and they never responded. The only way I could get my posts to appear was NOT to register. I don't know why.Btw, "Frank Stanton" (this one, not the guy who copied me) is not my name, but is an inside joke. I could tell you it, but you probably wouldn't find it funny, although it is very funny to me.And I HAVE stated my actual name and actual location severl times on Topix.

you're not a nice guy. that's why nobody likes you. i don't give other gay people here a difficult time. they know i'm on their side.

The easy cure for this is for actors to ONLY discuss their craft with the press and never (gay or straight) discuss their private lives. Just ignore the intrusive personal questions altogether. Nobody has an intrinsic right to gossip. It's time we put these TMZ/Perez Hiltons out of business.

And, having formerly been an actor, I played the aprt as a PERSON; unless you;re a hack who only plays stereotypes like the cretins on Modern Family, the orientation of the person does NOT influence your choices.

TomInElPaso wrote:

<quoted text>To me, Rock Hudson was never, ever a sexy or even good looking man. Cary Grant on the other hand could have parked his shoes under my bed any time.Will Johnny Mathis ever come out of his closet dragging his golf clubs behind him? Or perhaps he did and I never heard the door creak open. He use to chase bellboys down hotel hallways as I read it in the rags. The man must be worth a bajillion dollars with all the recordings he did.

Mathis came out in the early 80's.The easy cure for this is for actors to ONLY discuss their craft with the press and never (gay or straight) discuss their private lives. Just ignore the intrusive personal questions altogether. Nobody has an intrinsic right to gossip. It's time we put these TMZ/Perez Hiltons out of business.And, having formerly been an actor, I played the aprt as a PERSON; unless you;re a hack who only plays stereotypes like the cretins on Modern Family, the orientation of the person does NOT influence your choices.<quoted text>

So how do you stop the gossip columnists from commenting on who was dining with whom at an intimate restaurant?

The restaurants have the right to bar such people. Or, more likely, anything the gossip writes better be verifiable. They could report that so-and-so is having lunch with someone--anything else would be speculation and actionable in court.

Of course, I also think people should be able to run over or beat up the paparazzi at sill; they aren't r4ally humans--just cockroaches with cameras. Even actors and musicians should be able to protect their privacy.

nhjeff wrote:

<quoted text>So how do you stop the gossip columnists from commenting on who was dining with whom at an intimate restaurant?

I would register again, using a slight variation of your regular posting name. There may have just been a glitch when you did it before.

Frank Stanton wrote:

<quoted text>I did register, and using the handl I rgistered under, NONE of my posts would appear. I emailed Topix several times about that, and they never responded. The only way I could get my posts to appear was NOT to register. I don't know why.Btw, "Frank Stanton" (this one, not the guy who copied me) is not my name, but is an inside joke. I could tell you it, but you probably wouldn't find it funny, although it is very funny to me.And I HAVE stated my actual name and actual location severl times on Topix.

As when any author makes overly broad statements, they're usually wrong. My biggest objection is his original premise, "actors" can't play straight. Any actor worthy of the name can play anything.

On the other hand, gay actors may not become the $40M per picture, bankable movie star.

As I've said before, it's mostly straight couples who go to the movies. And of those couples, it's the male who decides what movie they're going to see --- either because he's paying for it or he refuses to see a "chick flick". That's why the types of movies made are made.

That alone says more about the audience prejudices than the actors' capabilities.

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